Kishiwada Danjiri Festival

A dynamic festival held every September in Kishiwada, Osaka. Its highlight is the 'yarimawashi,' where four-ton danjiri floats are pulled at high speed and turned at sharp right angles at intersections. This thrilling festival, in which over 500 pullers move as one, is passed down as a source of deep local pride.

A courageous festival held every September in Kishiwada, Osaka. The 'yarimawashi'—a high-speed 90-degree turn of 4-ton danjiri floats at intersections—is spectacularly thrilling. With over 300 years of history, it is nationally renowned as a festival demonstrating men's courage and solidarity.

Traditional festival held in September in Kishiwada, Osaka. Features giant floats (danjiri) weighing over 3 tons racing through town. With over 400 years of history, it is nationally famous for its spectacular procession. Tests the courage of young participants.

Festival held every September in Kishiwada, Osaka. Massive wooden floats called 'danjiri' dash through town with breathtaking intensity. Dating from the Edo period, famous nationwide for its spectacle and vigor. Expresses community spirit and cohesion of local men.

A premier summer festival of the Tohoku region held every August in Aomori City. Enormous illuminated warrior-themed floats called nebuta parade through the streets while dancers known as haneto leap to the chant of 'Rassera.' It is designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan.

Japan's largest Bon dance festival with over 400 years of history in Tokushima Prefecture. Known for the chant 'It's a fool who dances and a fool who watches—if both are fools, you might as well dance,' it is held annually during the Obon period in August. Groups called 'ren' dance through the streets to distinctive rhythms.